Ross Town Football Club applied to Ross Town Council for £3,000 for new 'dug outs', but because of a debate earlier in the Town Council meeting on Monday, October 13th about donations it had to be refused.

Councillor John Edwards proposed that the Council buy the dug outs and then donate them to the club, which would save the club VAT and give the council control of how much money would be spent. Councillor Edwards argued that it was the town's main football club and that the dug outs were in a very sorry state and it was important that sports be encouraged. Councillor Jenny Hyde said that the council had already given the club a lot of money and that there were many other clubs that needed money too.

Ironically, the finance and administration committee had recently passed a proposal to donate £1,000 to the Daimler and Lanchester Owners Club who are planning a rally in Ross next summer.

The club had applied for the grant to help stage their rally at the Riverside and a parade through the town which they felt would attract visitors. Before this was agreed at the full council meeting, Councillor Harry Bramer asked why the council felt it was a good idea to hand over £1,000 to a club without determining what the money would be used for and what value the town would receive in return.

Councillor Edwards and Councillor Chris Bartrum argued that the DLOC would bring much tourism and business to the town and probably they would come back the following year. Councillor Hyde asked why should a club that isn't part of the town get money automatically.

After some debate, the council agreed the proposal, to give the DLOC £1,000, with an amendment that no more money would be donated until the policy on donations had been restructured.

After listening to Councillor Edwards' proposal for the purchase of the new dug outs, Councillor Bramer asked the Town Clerk to read out the last resolution the council had passed at the meeting.

The clerk, Denise Mason, did so and so the Councilors had no option but to refuse the application by the football club. Councillor Phil Cutter said that he supported the purchase of the dug outs and said that the restructuring of the donations policy should be done quickly.